Grease-cup.



D. H. TWAITS.

GREASE CUP.

APPLICATION FILEDMAR. 4. 1914.

' Patented 0@t.10,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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DANIEL I-I. TWAITS, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GREASE-CUP.

To all whom it may concern: f

Be it known that I, DANIEL H. TwAiTs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Grease-Cups, of

A which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to grease cups of a type -having a body portion and a cap carried by the-body portion adapted to be movedtoward the same for forcing grease from the body portion to the bearing -rsurfaces. Y `f f An `object of the invention is to providea locking 4device forsecuring the cap to the base and for holding the same in the position last given it, while allowing the detent device to be'released to move the cap on' the base or to remove it therefrom by means extending outside the cap.

More specific objects are to so construct such a locking devicetha-t it will securely` hold the cap on the base and prevent rela tive movement of the same until released by hand, and to provide a grease cup which durable and efficient 1n shall be strong, service.

My invention is hereinafter more fully described in connection with the accompany ing drawings and the essential characteris tics are set forth in the claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my grease 1 cup; Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same sho-wing the locking de-i.'y vice; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on` the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. -l is a side elef vation of a modified form of my grease cup; Fig. 5 is a centralV vertical section through the same; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of another form of my grease cup;

-Fig. 8 is a vertical central section of the same showing a modified construction of the spring locking device; Fig. 9 is a horizontal section taken on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8 Fig. 1() is a side elevation of still another form of my grease cup; Fig. 11 is a vertical central section through the same and Fig. 12

is a horizontal section taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3: 1 indicates a base and 2 a cap, vertically slidable thereon. ,The base comprises a hollow steni-outwardly as at specification of Letters Patent.

Patented oct. io, 191e.

Applieauon ined March 4, 1914. serial No. 822,309.

4:, having a reduced external threaded' portion 5 at its lower end and having an outwardly pressed bead 7 near its upper end engaging the lower side of an intermediately offset disk extending through the central opening in this disk and through a disk 9 being upset at 11 l to securely hold these` disks in place. The ofset portion of the disk 8 provides an annular groove in which is carrieda resilient ring 12 of leather or other suitable material, for preventing the ,leakageof grease past the head.

The .cap itselfis preferably cylindrical as shown, and slid'ably fits over the periphery of the disks 8 `andf9,k and the resilient fring. This cap contains the grease which is adapted to be forced through the hollow stem 4 to the bearing surfaces, by pushing .the cap down over the head. Carried by the cap are two depending spring members 14 having downwardly.extending portions 15 forming projections, 16 yadapted to engage notches or horizontal. corrugations IS on' the interior vof the stem.

Below the projections 16l the spring members extend inwardly on an angle at 19, and then downwardly as at 2O.k The angle of portions 19 is. such that a cross member 22 .having a slidable engagement with the lower end Aof thespring members, may draw ,theprojections 16 out of engagement with the notches on being pulled upwardly.

, The cross member is provided with two` lateral slots 23 slidably engaging the springs vand is adapted to be raised by a slidable rod 25 rigidly secured thereto at its lower end, n

extending ythrough the top of the cap and provided` at its upper end with a ring' 26. This ring isA slidable in two' sides of a U- shaped wing 27 having outwardly extending .feet 28 riveted to the top of the cap. This wing is preferably made of a flat strip of metal bent in the form of'a U and having ,vertically extendingportions 29 which form inwardly opening grooves engaging the sides `of the ring 26.

l To prevent the leakage of grease pastthe 4 `rod 25, where 1t passes through the topof the cap, I provide a resilient packing 30, surrounding this rod beneath the topof the cap, and hold the same in placeby a washerlike disk 31 having downwardly turned portions 32 to conform to the shape of the top of the cap. The springmembers 14 extend 34, and have downwardlyA turned ends 35, to lconform to the washerlike disk. These spring members, the washer and the wing 27 may be rigidly secured to the cap by rivets 36, as shown.

rlhe portions of the spring members above the outward projections are prefer'- ably made trough-shaped, which greatly strengthens them, and prevents them being distorted when the cross member 20 is slid upwardly.

By grasping the ring 26, the slide 2O may be raised drawing the projections out of engagement with the notches and thereby allowing the cap to be moved vertically on the base. In case it is desired to compress the grease, forcing it through the stem by press ing downwardly on the cap, this may be conveniently done by placing one linger through the ring 26, grasping the top of the wing or yoke 27, thus the ring may be readily moved, drawing the projections 16 out of engagement with the notches, thereby unloekingrthem, and then pressing `downwardly with the thumb to move the cap down. It will be seen that by making the lower portions of the spring members vertical and parallel as shown, that when the cross member is in its normal position, shown in Fig. 2, the lower ends of the spring cannot be moved toward each other, as the cross member prevents them. Accordingly, the projection cannot be moved inwardly out of engagement with the notches, and the cap is thereby locked at alltimes, except when the ring 26 is movedvupwardly.

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6: In this form of construction the base lis provided [with a. hollow stem which is integral at its upper end with an outwardly extending disk 40, beneath which is a resilient member 41 corresponding to the ring 12 andsupported by a washer-like disk 42 resting on a sleeve 43 surrounding the exterior of the stem 4 of the base.

At the lower end the stem is provided with threads 45 above which is a shoulder 46 and an angular internally threaded member 47 screwed onto the threads A45 securely presses a disk-like bottom 44 of a cupshaped housing 55 upwardly against the shoulder 46 thereby holding the housing. At the vsame time this presses upwardly on the sleeve 43, securely holding the disk 42 and resilient washer 41 in place. The member 47 is provided with external threads 48 adapted to be secured into the member to be lubricated and it is prevented from becoming loosened on the threads 45 by means of a pin 49 extending upwardly and engaging the member 47 and threaded portion 45.

The capV 2 is fitted over the enlarged head formed by the disks as described. It is vertically slidable thereon and fits into the housing 55 thereby preventing dust from working its way to the interior of the cup.

'vent the leakage of essary This cap isy securely held in position by spring members 50 acting on the same principle as the springs in the form first described, said spring members having outwardly extending portions 51 and 53 forming projections 52 adapted to engage notches or horizontal grooves 54. The portions 53 have a connecting loop 56 tending to move the projecting portions outwardly thereby causing a yielding engagement with the notches.

At their upper ends the spring members are bent outwardly as at 57, resting against the bottom of a washer 58 having an upwardly turned i'iange 59 engaging the top of the cap. lVithin this washer 58 is resilient packing material 60 adapted to pregrease past a vertically slidable rod 62. The ends 57 of the springs and the washer 58 are secured in place in any suitable manner, as by rivets 63 as shown.

The vertically slidable rod 62 has at its lower end a cross slide 65 having slots engaging the spring members and adapted when depressed to engage the projecting portions 51 andcam the projections 52 inwardly against the action of the spring portion 56, thereby allowing the vertical move ment of the cap. At the upper end of the rodV 62 isprovided a suitable button-like member 66 which may be depressed by hand to release the projections 52 and allow the movement of the cap.

Then it is desired to force the grease from the interior of the cup, it is only necessary to press downwardly on the button 66. This releases the locking device as described, and allows the cap to be pulled downwardly through the rod 62 and the spring members, thereby forcing grease through the stem and to the bearing surfaces. As soon as the pressure is released from the button 66, the projections again engage the notches on the interior of the stem and hold the cap in the position last given it. To remove the cap, it is only necto grasp an outwardly extending knurled bead 68, at the upper portion of the cap, with two iingers, depressing the button 66 with the thumb and pulling upwardly on -the cap.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8 and 9; In this form of construction'the stem 4 of the base has a cylindrical interior 70, and a hexagonal exterior 71. The head of the base is constructed as described in the first form, with the disk 9 and the resilient member 12 secured in place by an offset washer-like disk 8, both of these disks being held by upsetting the stem. In this form the cap 2 is adapted to be locked into position on the base memberjby means of a spiral spring 73, having one end threaded through a hole at 74, in the lower end of a strut 7 5, The

. upper end of this strut is turned outwardly at 76 fitting against the under side of a washer-like disk 78, above which is provided packing 79, preventing the leakage of grease past a vertically slidable rod 80, ex- .,m ding through the top ofthe cap.

The Yupper end of the spring 7 3 is secured to the lower end of the slidable rod 80 by threading through a hole at 82. Thediameter of the spring 73 is such that when the spring is elongated, it will be small enough to allow it'to be slid vertically within the stem, but when it is allowed to contract by its own spring action, itincreases its'own diameter Vsufficiently to very tightly engage the cylindrical surface of the interior of the stem, thereby securely .holding the cap in the position last given 1t.

To conveniently elongate the spring to thereby release its engagement and allow the vertical movement of the cap, I secure tothe upper end of the slidable rod 80, aY lring 84, which may be grasped by the ngers to raise the rod 80, elongate the spring and release its engagement, as described.l I prefer to provide a wing or yoke 27 as heretofore described, over t-his ring 84, the same being secured to the cap inany suitable manner, as by rivets and 86, passing through the disk 78, the rivets 86 passing also through the portion 76 of the strut 7 5, thereby securing all these parts in position.

The operation of this form of cup is similar to that of the first form described, it being only necessary to grasp the ring 84 and raise the same and then move the cap downwardly to force out the grease, or upwardly to remove the cap, as desired.

If desired, outwardly extending grooves 88 may be provided onl the interior of the cap by pressing outwardly the ribs 89, ,as shown. The grooves being engaged by projections 90 on the periphery of the disks 8 and 9, provides a guide for the cap. These guides may be provided as shown in any of the forms herein described. In the form shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the housing 55 has vertical grooves 91V complementary to the ribs 89.

Referring to Figs.r10,r'11 and 12,. in this .Y

form the base 1 is constructed exactly the same as that just described, and the locking device comprises a spring member 94 corresponding to the spring member 7 3 adapted to lock the cap onto the base to hold the same in the position last given it, but being operated by a vertically slidable rod 95 secured to the lower end of the spring and adapted to elongate the same when depressed., the other end of the spring bein n brought upwardly at 96 and secured at 9 by means of a rivet 98 to the top of the cap. The upper end of this rod 95 is provided with a button 66 by which the rod may be depressed to elongate the spring,

suitableV packing 60 being` provided, and held as described in connection with-Figs. 4, 5 and 6. The cap is also provided with a knurled bead 68 which may be grasped by the ngers, while the button 66 is depressed Yby the thumb to remove the cap fromthe base.

bema'de withouty any threading operations.y The cup may be very largely made byV pressing operations, which it is generally V known, are much cheaper and more advantageous 1n many ways than machine operations.

' -I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a grease cup the combination of a base,'a cap slidable over said base, a spring oarriedby the cap and adapted to expand and yengage the interior of the base, andV means extending outside the cup and f adapted to bemoved by hand for releasing the grip of' the spring within the stem allowing the movement of they cap.l

2. In a grease cup the combination of a basehaving va head cap movably .carried by said head, a spring carried by the cap and extending into said stem and adapted to expand and engage the interior surface"thereof, and means carried by the' CRP engaging the` lower end of the!d springfadapted to be manually operated to release the engagementof the spring with the stein. y

3. In a grease cup the combinationof a lbase having a yhead and a hollow stem, a

cap vertically slidable on said head, a spring carried by the cap extending intoy said stem adapted to engage the same, and a vertically movable member carried by the cap engaging the lower end of the spring and extending outside the cap adapted to be manually operated to release the grip of the spring within the stem thereby allowing the movement of the cap.

4. In a grease cup base member having a the combination of a hollow interior, a cap and a hollow stem,

movably carried byfsaid base, a spring car- Y ried by the cap and extending within the base and adapted to engage the interior thereof to hold the cap in the position last given it, and a vertically slidable member extending upwardly through the top of the cap and engaging the lower end ofV the spring adapted to be depressed to cause the spring to .release its engagement with the interior of the base allowing the removal of 'the cap.

5.*In a grease cup the combination of a :base having a hollow interior, a cap member vertically slidable over said base, spring Lmembers carried by the top of the cap extending' into said base and adapted to expand into engagement with the interior thereof, a vertically slidable rod carried by the cap, means on the `lower end of said rod co--actmg with the lower end of the spring whereby a ,longitudinal movement of 4the rod causes the' engagement of the spring to be released, and means on the outer end of the rod to be graspedby the hand.

6. In a greasecup thercomgbination of a base member havinga hollow interior, a

. cap vertically slidable on said base member,

a spring member having two substantially parallel depending portions extending into the base and secured at their `u-pper ends to the cap and having outwardprojections at their lower ends, ak vertically slidable member engaging said projections,`and means outside the cap adapted to be grasped by the hand to move said projections inwardly.

7. In a grease cup the combination of a base member having a hollow interior, a cap member vertically slidable thereon, a spring Vlocking device secured to the cap member having depending portions extending into the base, portions projecting'at an angle from the lower end of thel depending portions, av member slidable on said depending portions, and adapted' to engage the projecting portions, and a vertically slidable `member extending outside the cap whereby Gdpies of this patent may be obtained for adapted to be grasped by hand to move said slidable member to release the spring.

9. In a grease cup the combination of a base member having a hollow interior provided with notches, a cap member vertically slidable oversaid baseL member, a pair of spring members carried by the cap and extending into said base having projections engaging the notches, and a connecting portion causing said projections to spring outwardly, a` member slidable on said spring members adapted to be operated from outside the cap to cause the yrelease of said projections.

10. In a grease cup the combination of a base member having a hollow interior, a cap verticallykmovable on said base member, a spring carried by the cap and extending into said base and adapted to engage the interior thereof, and vertically movable means carried by the cap and adapted to be depressed to cause said spring to release its engagement with the base.

11. In a greasecup, the combination of a base member, a cap member movably Vmounted thereon, laterally expansible means carried by one of said members and adapted to engage the other to prevent relative movement, and means extending outside of the cup and connected with the last mentioned means for contracting said expansible means to cause it to release its engagement.

12. In a grease cup, the combination of a base member, a cap member slidable over the base member, said base member having a hollow interior, an expansible means carried by the cap and adapted to engage the interior of the base, a movable member connected with said expansible means and eX- tending through the cap and adapted to be depressed to release the engagementof the expansible means.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto allix my signature in thepresence of two witnesses.

DANIEL H. TVVAITS. Witnesses:

JUSTIN W. MACKLIN, ARCHER M. RICHARDS.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

